The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 64, No. 1 – Fall 2021
Editor: David S. Dockery
By Matthew D. Kim. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2021, 223pp., $24.99
This book is well-timed. It was published right as the world is recovering from a pandemic and churches are filled with people dealing with suffering in many forms. Kim encourages preachers with a timely challenge to faithfully expound the Scriptures dealing with pain and also assists preachers with helpful thoughts related on how to do so. The author reminds us that preachers preach both on pain and in pain.
The book is organized in two parts. The first part deals with identifying the pain that preachers and congregations face, and the second part outlines 6 types of pain people commonly face and how to address them from Scripture. With each type of pain, Kim includes a message on how to address that particular type of pain. Each sermon is outlined with 3 principles from the text. Finally, each chapter concludes with helpful questions to guide discussions on pain and suffering and summarize the content of the chapter.
In part one, Kim details the types of pain the people face. The book primarily addresses six types of pain (p. 24; although page 37 includes a subsequent, though similar list containing seven types of pain). Kim calls for transparency from preachers (p. 6 and pp. 12-15) and models that throughout by identifying both his own struggles with physical pain (pp. 101-2) as well as those of his family (p. 106), and also with the intense grief over the murder of his brother (pp. 45-46 and pp. 128-129).
Kim calls on preachers to take an “inventory of pain suffering” in their congregation (pp. 24-25). He recommends creating a spreadsheet delineating the types of pain from which parishioners suffer that will allow preachers to pray for, care through, and preach toward the kinds of suffering that are impacting the congregations they serve.
Kim recommends nine preparatory questions to guide preachers through preaching on pain. These questions are introduced in chapter three and form the bases for each chapter in part two. The author encourages preachers to use these principles as a template “to preach more intentionally on pain and suffering” (p. 36). The nine questions are:
- Which passage will I preach on?
- What type of pain/suffering is revealed in the text?
- How does the Bible character or biblical author deal with the pain?
- How does this pain in the text deal with our listeners pain?
- What does this pain say about God and his allowance of pain?
- How does God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit help us in our suffering?
- How can our preaching show care and empathy?
- How can we share this pain in Christian community?
- How will God use our suffering to transform us and bring Himself glory?
In part two, Kim addresses each of the six types of pain individually. The sermons included in each chapter outline the principles he addresses and model the principles taught therein. The sermons chosen are from both testaments and cover multiple genres.
The research for the book is thorough, but not disproportionate. In addition, preachers will find a number of good illustrations interspersed throughout (although the one on pages 121-122 would be both strengthened and more accurate by being updated).
The principles taught in this work are faithful to Scripture, modeled by the author, and helpful for preachers. The book contains many helpful suggestions for pastors and preachers alike. The issue addressed in the work is one that all preachers will face and more should attend. This is a work that preachers will find valuable for their library.
